I lost my dog.
Losing my dog was one of the most terrifying things that has ever happened to me. My dog is like my first child. He’s apart of the family so I felt like I lost my baby! Here’s what happened. My husband and I were outside talking to the neighbors as we are new to the neighborhood. My husband went inside the house and Simba was with him. He closed the door behind him and I thought nothing else of it while I was outside chit-chatting away.
The kids were outside playing and the oldest kept going in and out of the house as kids always do. It began getting dark outside so the kids and I went inside the house. Usually, Simba comes to the door when we come inside, but this time he did not. I thought that was weird so I asked my husband where Simba was. He thought Simba was with me and I thought Simba was with him. Uh oh. We both look at Jordyn and her face says it all. We ask her where Simba is and she said that he went out the door with her earlier.
Where is the Dog?
He went out of the door with you!? Where’s he at now?
I don’t know.
We didn’t know where our dog was. Panic ensued. We scramble all around the house hoping that Simba is just in one of his favorite places. Nope. He’s nowhere to be found. I started to panic even more because at that time he did not have his dog tag on because the information on it was old since we had just moved and it needed to be updated. Simba didn’t have a microchip. Oh my. He was gone in a blink of an eye! It all happened so fast and it can happen to anyone. Don’t let this happen to you! Here are several things that we did when we realized we lost our dog!
9 Things to do If You Lose Your Dog
Take a Deep Breath. CALM DOWN!
I know, I know. That is totally easier said than done. I get it. You lost your dog and you’re freaking out! So was I, but I had to pull it together so that I could find my dog as quickly as possible. Take a moment and get your mind together so that you can put it to use in finding your dog.
Stop, Think About It
Where could your dog be? Think about all of the places that your dog loves to go. He could possibly be somewhere that he is always at. Did you look everywhere in the house? Did you check the backyard? Check common places.
Search the Neighborhood
Walk around the neighborhood and call or whistle for your dog. Look carefully. Someone should stay at the house in case the dog decides to return while the other person is out looking. The dog could be in a neighbor’s backyard down the street or right next door!
Ask the Neighbors
While you’re out searching the neighborhood, make sure you ask any neighbors you see if they have seen your dog. You may even have to knock on some doors if neighbors are not outside at the moment. Also, show your neighbor a recent picture of your dog on your phone. This is how we found Simba. My husband asked a neighbor who happened to be outside and she actually saw Simba and put him in her fenced-in backyard. She was going to call the police who would have then taken Simba to the animal shelter. We are so thankful that our neighbor took care of him and we found him within about 10 minutes of losing him.
Reach Out on Social Media
Make a post on your personal Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Your friends can help spread the word by sharing your post with their friends who can then share it with their friends.
Call the Police
The neighbor that found Simba mentioned that she was about to call the police about a lost dog. Call your local police to see if they might have recently picked up a lost dog.
Call the Local Animal Shelters
Someone may have taken your dog to an animal shelter. Call your local animal shelters and give them a description of your dog and see if he is there. You can also go by there yourself and see if your dog is there.
Put up Lost Dog Flyers
If you aren’t having much luck finding your dog the same day you lost him, put up some dog flyers around your neighborhood, at local stores, vet offices, etc. Make sure you have a recent photo of your dog and a good description and a way to contact you ASAP if he is found.
Keep Looking!
Don’t stop searching for your dog. Keep calling or going by the animal shelter. Frequently check with neighbors or even give them your contact info so they can bring the dog to you or call you to get your dog if they happen to see him. Don’t give up! Keep looking!
Lost Dog Prevention
If you have lost your dog I really hope that you find him soon. It really is a difficult thing to deal with and I wish it on no pet parent out there. Our dog is precious to us and very much apart of our lives and I’m sure all dog owners feel the same way.
Never lost your dog? Let’s keep it that way and prevent it from happening. It’s Lost Dog Prevention Month and we want to prevent as many dogs as possible from getting lost or at least getting found quickly. Here are some tips to help prevent you from losing your dog. Did you know that many dogs get lost this month…especially during the 4th of July?
View our family vlog below to see us talk about losing our dog for the first and hopefully LAST time!
Vlog 326: We Lost Our Dog!!
In this vlog we chill with some new neighbors and watch the Jon Jones UFC fight. We also talk about how we lost Simba for a few minutes! We are daily vloggers sharing a glimpse of our lives while capturing family memories.*Don’t forget to watch in HD* Thanks for watching!
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Have you ever lost your pet? What did you do? Share in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you!
Great tips! We have a fantastic lost dog network service in NH that started with one dog and social media… they’re a fantastic group. I’m glad your story had a happy ending!
nichole recently posted..ID Your Pet Day #ASPCA + GIVEAWAY
OMD, I can’t imagine what you all must have been going through. Wonderful tip, I hope no one every has to use them but if they do…..
Spencer the Goldendoodle recently posted..An Official B.A.R.K. Ranger
Great info, its my biggest fear 🙁
Losing one of my animals is truly one of my biggest fears!!! When I was a kid our dog went missing for about 12 hours, we were all insanely worried and did everything we could to find him. The next morning we woke up and found him in our garage. He wasn’t there the night before so we assume someone found him and put him the garage until morning. We never knew who did that, but I’m still grateful to that caring person 30 years later.
Oh no, I can’t even imagine how you must’ve felt! I’m glad you found him. Great tips, too!
Oh my goodness, that feeling when you suddenly realize someone is missing is horrible! But the steps you list can reunite, for sure! Act with a calm mind, and determined manner. People are so good and wanting to help return pets! Thank you for sharing!
What a scary situation to have to encounter. Thank goodness your neighbor found Simba!
You have provided a wonderful list to follow, should someone loose their beloved fur baby❤
We’ve never lost Mr. N… and I would be out of my mind if we did. Our neighborhood group is very active and returns a lot of missing pets.
Tenacious Little Terrier recently posted..Choosing a Pet Insurance Plan with #Figo
Great tips. It is so scary to loose your dog…
If Ginger (my mom’s dog) gets out the front door, she usually won’t come back. So, we’ve lost her a few times, but we’ve always been able to find her pretty quickly by driving around the neighborhood. And, she does has tags and a microchip.
Losing a dog is scary! I remember one of my sisters calling me while I was at work and telling me they couldn’t find Sparkle, I tried to get home so fast. My chest hurt. I felt sick. I called my mom hysterical and she drove around the neighborhood and found Sparkle playing around in a grassy field. I wont let this happen again!
Such a scary situation. Years ago, my ex-husband and I thought our cat Muff had gotten outside. We walked all over the neighborhood searching for her. Hours later, she came out of hiding from some hidden location inside the house.
That is the worst ever feeling. It surprises me how many animals end up at the shelter and how many owners do not think to look there. So glad you found Simba!
I really liked this blog, and the photos were wonderful! I think that this is everyone’s worst fear…losing their dog! And you are so right! It happens in the blink of an eye, especially when there is a lot of door traffic!! So happy to know that you found Simba safe and sound! Phew!!
I can’t imagine what you went through. These are great for people who lose their dog and are frantic. Thanks for writing it up!
It is terrifying when a pet is missing! This is really good advice to help find a lost pet. Despite our best precautions, sometimes pets just slip out. I’m so glad that you found Simba before he was at the shelter, I’m sure that would have been very scary for him.
Beth recently posted..Adopt A Cat Month
Wow, that must have been SO scary!! How awful. I’m so glad you found him before he was sent to a shelter. He’d have been out up for adoption within 3-4 days. He’s so beautiful he would have been adopted immediately! Dogs like him go lightening fast!!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
What a scary experience! So happy you found him! This is a great post with such wonderful tips. Sharing on our FiveSibes Facebook page and Pinterest.
We have shared many posts on the topic and the more pros like you who write about it the better. I have helped reunited many dogs with frantic owners.
Interesting story and useful tips. Thank you for your good work. I will share this on twitter.
You forgot one thing: Call vets in the neighborhood, ask to put fliers in their offices, check the emergency vet place. If your dog or cat was found hurt by a car, that’s where he might end up.
O God, that must have been really scary!! Luckily I have never lost one of my dogs!! I did find someone’s dog a few months ago, so I took him home and contacted the police. Luckily he’s back home, safe!
These are some awesome tips! Thank you for sharing!!
IT MAKES ME SAD…
I honestly can’t imagine what you went through.. I would have such a panic attack my heart would stop. Thanks for sharing your story.
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